Outpouring of support for Berkeley Humane Society

By Doug JastrowContra Costa Times

Posted:
05/22/2010 04:36:14 PM PDT

Updated:
05/24/2010 06:51:47 AM PDT

BERKELEY — Donations to help rebuild the fire-damaged facility that houses the Berkeley East Bay Humane Society continued to stream in Saturday, but the shelter was still far from reaching its goal, a spokeswoman said.

A fire Wednesday night destroyed a large portion of the two-story building at the corner of Ninth and Carleton streets. At least a dozen cats died in the blaze which caused an estimated $500,000 in damage.

Katherine O'Donnell, communications director for the facility, said there has been an outpouring of support for the shelter with online donations received from as far away as New Jersey. But so far they have only raised about 20 percent of what they need.

Several local, pet-related businesses are also donating a portion of their sales Saturday to the rebuilding effort. Ana Poe, owner of Paco Collars on Shattuck Avenue, said sales were up about 75 percent Saturday.

"People are really coming out to support the Humane Society," Poe said.